German Post Turkish Empire Stamps
The German Post in the Turkish Empire operated across the Middle East and Southeast Europe, primarily within the Ottoman territories. This postal service was established under the auspices of the German Empire to facilitate communication for its diplomatic missions, commercial interests, and expatriate communities.
- Issued stamps
- 1884–1908
- Region
- Middle East, Levant and Ottoman territories
- Currency
- TRL
- Languages
- German, Turkish
- Issuer type
- Colonial postal administration
- Part of
- German Empire
History and background
Stamps issued by this service typically bear German inscriptions, often alongside Turkish denominations, reflecting the dual administrative and linguistic environment. The service's existence was largely confined to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, ceasing operations with the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire following World War I.
Further reading: Wikipedia
How to identify them
- Look for German stamps (often Germania or Yacht designs) with overprints of 'Türkei' and denominations in Turkish currency (e.g., 'Piaster', 'Para').
- Check for cancellations from specific German post offices within the Ottoman Empire (e.g., Constantinople, Smyrna, Beirut, Jerusalem).
Popular series
-
Yacht Issue (Hohenzollern)
1900-1905
Stamps featuring the imperial yacht 'Hohenzollern', overprinted with 'Türkei' and denominations in Turkish currency.
-
Germania Issue
1905-1908
Stamps depicting the allegorical figure Germania, overprinted with 'Türkei' and Turkish currency values.
Value overview
Typical ranges as orientation, not prices for a particular stamp. Condition, variety and demand decide the value of your copy; for current asking prices, check listings or the app.
- Common stamps
- €1–€20
- Scarce stamps
- €100–€5,000+
Values vary significantly based on condition, specific overprint, and denomination. Higher values are often found for rare errors, specific cancellations, or high-denomination stamps.
Catalogs. German Post Turkish Empire stamps are listed in the major world catalogs: Scott, Michel and Stanley Gibbons. Catalog numbers and groupings differ between them; the Stamp Identifier app shows the numbers it can find for your stamp.
Questions about German Post Turkish Empire stamps
German Post Turkish Empire stamps are issues used by German post offices operating within the Ottoman Empire from 1884 to 1908. These were primarily German stamps overprinted with 'Türkei' and local Turkish currency denominations to facilitate postal services for German diplomatic, commercial, and expatriate communities.
The value of German Post Turkish Empire stamps varies. Common issues can be found for a few euros, while rare errors, specific overprints, high denominations, or stamps with desirable cancellations can fetch hundreds or even thousands of euros. Condition is a major factor in determining value.
You can identify German Post Turkish Empire stamps by looking for German stamp designs (like the Germania or Yacht issues) that bear an overprint of 'Türkei' and local Turkish currency values. Many also have cancellations from specific German post offices in cities like Constantinople or Smyrna. A photo in the Stamp Identifier app gives a first identification; check the catalog number in a specialised catalog before relying on it.
German Post Turkish Empire stamps are extensively listed in major stamp catalogs. You can find them in Scott (under German Offices in Turkey), Michel (under Deutsche Post in der Türkei), and Stanley Gibbons (under German Post Offices Abroad).
Not sure where
it's from?
Photograph the stamp and Stamp Identifier names the issuer, the year and the series. One identification every 24 hours is free; prices and listings need Premium.